In the low lying hills of the Eastern Yucatan pennisula, known as the Puuc, the Maya buildings often exhibit a particular style named after the region. Built during the late Classic, these structures define the style known as the Puuc. The House of the Turtles at Uxmal is an exceptional example. The proportions of the building, the setting (overlooking the main Quadrangle) and the unique turtle-motif ornamentations has led many to proclaim this building to be one of the finest in the region. Notice how the upper third of all the walls are ornamented with inlaid building stones, framing vertical members with horizontal upper and lower balustrades. The turtles are near the top and are depicted as if walking horizontally on the wall. Six are shown on the sunlit end in the above photograph.

At the site of Sayil, about 1/2 mile from the main palace lies a small but very ornate building recently cleared from the tropical scrub forest. Notice that the ornamentation, in the form of repeated columns, continues to ground level. This high degree of ornamentation achieved by affixing numerous carved stones on the exterior of the buildings is a hallmark of the Puuc style of Mayan architecture.

©1996 Ken Goehring